Mallory Kane, Bulletproof Billionaire

Bulletproof Billionaire

Mallory Kane

Harlequin Intrigue, Aug 2004, $4.99, 250 pp.

ISBN: 0373227892

New Orleans Confidential leader Conrad Burke knew he needed a master of disguise who in daytime is a leading professional whom would feel comfortable amongst the wealthiest of the city; at night undercover and as at ease amidst drug dealers. He recruits Seth Lewis to pose as an international multibillionaire business mogul. The objective is to bring down Jerome Senegal, head of the Cajun Mob by seducing widow Adrienne Deblanc, owner of the Cajun Perk coffeehouses that serve as a front for Senegal's illegal drug peddling activities.

Seth meets Adrienne and finds her nothing like the cool, aloof female he expects; instead, she seems frightened and lonely, bringing out his protective feelings. Still he wonders why she does the mob's bidding, not realizing the threat of the "Knife" to her mom. As they fall in love, neither trusts the other though they share common goals of destroying Senegal, extracting Adrienne from the mess, and love. If they continue to hide truths because they remain suspicious of one another, they will fail.

Inane title aside, BULLETPROOF BILLIONAIRE is an exhilarating romantic suspense that takes off from the moment Seth's siblings help prepare him for his assignment and never lets up until the final confrontation. Adrienne is a delightful Perils of Pauline heroine though the menace to her mom by the thug the Knife seems unnecessary as Senegal could get a hundred cooperative replacements in a flash. Fans of romantic suspense will enjoy the second New Orleans Confidential and seek out the previous book, UNDERCOVER ENCOUNTER by Rebecca York as this reviewer will do and look forward to next month's entry by Joanna Wayne.

Harriet Klausner